Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Add power and persuasion to your books, articles, and one-sheets

Any time or Anytime: One Word or Two?

by Leave a Comment

by Kathleen Watson (used with permission)

I’ve found myself pausing lately when I’m about to write anytime … or should it be any time? Which is it: one word or two?

As is sometimes the case with grammar, our choices are not easy or clear. I’ve learned from my online search that most sources say anytime and any time are not necessarily interchangeable; anytime is acceptable in one context, but any time is more often preferred.

Always my first choice, The Associated Press Stylebook doesn’t specifically list anytime, but it does cite anyone vs. any one as a similar example:

Anyone may attend the class.
Anyone is indefinite; it implies any and all people may attend the class.

You may check out any one of the books on the table.
Any one is definite; it implies a limit, a specific thing: one book from the selection.

Anyone (indefinite) who attends the class may borrow any one (specific) of the books on the table.
If anyone (indefinite) wants to ride along, pick any one (specific) of the bikes in the rack.

Getting back to anytime, the same general guideline applies:

anytime is indefinite; it implies at any time whatsoever 

We’ll leave for lunch anytime you choose.
My new truck will tackle rough roads anytime, anywhere.
Call me anytime.

any time can imply something specific or an amount of time:

specific
Did you call me any time last week?
Attendance fell any time a holiday created a conflict.
Did you talk with her any time after the accident?

amount
I don’t have any time to mow the lawn this weekend.
Don’t waste any time trying to influence the outcome.
If you find any time to make brownies, please bring them to the picnic.

Some online sources claim that the two-word any time is always the safer choice if you’re writing for school, for work, or in any formal context.

I predict that we’ll see greater use of the one-word anytime. Life continues to get more casual, from attire, to the informal way we address people, to the way we use language. As our culture evolves, grammar tends to evolve with it.

For other confusing words that start with the letter a, check out my A-Word post from July 2015.

And please let me know when you have specific questions. Use the comment section below or send me an email anytime . . . at any time you choose!

Kathleen Watson has a love/hate relationship with grammar; she loves words and the punctuation that helps them make sense, yet she hates those pesky rules. She has for nearly three decades been helping individuals and organizations craft messages that inform, convince and inspire.

Clear communication is at the heart of success in nearly every field and endeavor. Kathy encourages and supports those who want to fine-tune their writing and speaking skills. Her Grammar for People who Hate Rules, a compilation of the killer tips she has been sharing for years, will be available soon. Her email is kathy@ruthlesseditor.com

For a three-page list of more examples, request One Word or Two at editor@barbaramcnichol.com.

Best of Word Trippers 2014

by 1 Comment

by Barbara McNichol

If you don’t subscribe to my ezine Word Tripper of the Week, you’re missing out on a regular opportunity to sharpen your word use skills. You’ll find easy explanations of confusng word pairings such as “accept vs. except” and “affect vs. effect.”

Last year’s Word Trippers ezine included the pairs that follow, but that’s only a start! For the complete “Best of 2014” List, email me at editor@BarbaraMcNichol.com and I’ll send you the full PDF list of 25 pesky pairings featured in 2014.

Abstruse, obtuse – “Abstruse” means hard to understand, complex, or highly abstract. It stems from a Latin word meaning concealed or hidden and typically describes texts or arguments. “Obtuse” describes someone who is (or seems to be, based on behavior) not sharp in thinking, perception, or feeling; it can also refer to a remark, argument, or object that is dull or blunt.

“The teacher lost his students’ attention while describing abstruse philosophical topics to his class. He was too obtuse to notice their lack of participation.”

***

Afflict, inflict – Both words mean to cause pain, suffering, distress, or discomfort. “Afflict” with the preposition “with” usually describes an illness or condition. “Inflict” with the preposition “on” concentrates on the force with which the pain, suffering, distress, or discomfort is administered.

“He did not intend to inflict shame on his friend with his calloused remark. It would later afflict him with a deep sense of remorse.”

***

Anticipate, predict – “Anticipate” means to think of something that could happen in the future; to expect or look ahead to something with pleasure. “Predict” means to declare or indicate in advance; to foretell based on observation, experience, or scientific reason.

“It’s easy to predict the youngsters will have a tough time sleeping as they anticipate their trip to Disneyland.”

***

Archetype, prototype – Derived from the Latin term “typus” meaning image, the nouns “archetype” and “prototype” both relate to an original pattern or model. Each prefix establishes the distinction. “Arch” refers to the most accomplished or high ranking of something; “proto” primarily refers to a standard configuration, or an initial model or version of something. Thus, “archetype” has come to mean an ideal example while “prototype” is an unrefined version of something that’s expected to evolve.

“With her perfect GPA, inspiring extracurricular activity, and impressive athletic accomplishments, she’s the archetype of a great student and possibly a prototype for a successful entrepreneur.”

***

Request the whole list with Best of Word Trippers in subject line. When you do, I’ll automatically subscribe you to the bimonthly ezine so you won’t miss out in the future. Enjoy!

Then tell me which ones were most helpful or most surprising to you. Comment here.

P.S. You can order the print version of Word Trippers 2nd edition by clicking on this link. http://bit.ly/WordTrippers

From Our Blog

View all blog posts »

Barbara McNichol Editorial
5090 N. Camino de la Cumbre
Tucson, AZ 85750

Phone: 520-615-7910

Email us »